Chapters: I'm not sure how many chapters there will be, I think I'm going to make this my summer project. However, I'd say at least 10, maybe as many as 20. That's an estimate though. I've actually never posted a story in parts before, I've always posted stories as a whole. And since I'm one of those people that just starts writing and sees where it takes her, I have no real idea how or when this story is going to end. I do have the last line planned out. But you'll have to wait awhile for that one ;) And it ties in with the first chapter, so I hope you all will keep the first chapter in your mind.
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Andromache was rudely awakened by light streaming into her face. She groaned and squinted her eyes, trying to figure out who had disturbed her.
"Time to rise," Maira informed her, going over to pick out her dress for the day.
"Why are you waking me this early?" Andromache inquired. Then she remembered. Today she left Thebe forever. Her mood quickly plummeted. "Never mind, don't answer that."
Maira brought over a dress, a light colored robe of pale green, and Andromache took it from her.
"I'll dress myself today, tell everyone I don't want to be disturbed. I feel like being alone."
Maira nodded, "Don't forget, we leave for the docks in one hour. Prince Hector has said he wishes to set sail by the ninth hour."
Upon hearing that name, Andromache tensed. Hatred boiled within her and she quickly prevented herself from striking out at her friend. "Do not mention that name to me. I hate him with all my heart right now," she said quietly.
Maira was slightly taken aback at the hatred in Andromache's voice, but couldn't blame her friend. "Yes, my lady," she said, and quietly left the room.
Andromache quickly pulled on her robe and couldn't help smiling as she thought of Maira's practicality. The robe was a light color, but heavy. It would protect her from the winds while they sailed but would also keep off some of the sun's heat. This is the robe I shall wear when I see my family for the last time, Andromache realized. I shall burn it the moment I arrive in Troy.
She took a quick turn about the room, trying to clear her thoughts. Splashing water on her face, she sat down at her mirror to arrange her hair. The intense desire to make herself as ugly as possible shot through her, but she rationalized herself out of that very quickly. Nothing would please her more than to spite her betrothed, however, this was the last time the people of her city would look upon their princess. The last time.
Andromache heard the door open behind her, and said sharply, "I gave orders not to be disturbed."
"It has always been a mystery why children assume they can give orders to their parents, they rarely succeed," her mother said cheekily, showing where Andromache got her sense of humor.
Andromache stood up. "Forgive me, mother, I thought you were one of my handmaidens."
"Love, you have not yet fixed your hair. Sit down." Andromache obeyed without question. Ariana took the comb and proceeded to run it through her daughter's hair. The two sat in silence for awhile, enjoying their last moments together, then Ariana spoke.
"When I left my homeland to come here and marry your father, the day looked much like this one," she said softly, lost in memories. "The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and I remember thinking that the gods must have made a mistake to give such wonderful weather to such a horrible day. As I rode through my city for the last time, I noticed the small things I'd never taken time to observe before, and I felt terrible when I realized how many things I'd never taken the time to enjoy. You will experience the exact same thing. The entire journey here to Thebe, I hated myself for not enjoying my city more, when I'd had the chance. And then I'd lost that chance. But Andromache, I had made no mistake, and neither have you. You have loved Thebe, you've created memories here, and no matter what you see on your journey down to the docks, I want you to remember- you have loved this city with your heart and soul, and you've enjoyed it to the fullest. Don't spend years in regret as I did. Look back on the happy moments and understand that this place will always hold your past." She ran the brush through Andromache's long locks and smiled fondly at her daughter through the mirror.
"Mother-" Andromache choked up, and couldn't continue.
"Hush, love, I haven't finished. I want you to always remember the times we've shared together. I want you to remember this room, the time you awoke to find that Euklides had put a snake in your bed. I want you to remember the tree in the courtyard that you attempted to climb, and broke your arm when you fell out of it. I want you to remember everything about this city, Andromache, and I want you to remember it with happiness, not sorrow. You have lived your life in this city so that now- when the time has come to leave it- you feel as if your heart is going to break. I want you to live your life in Troy so that when your time on this world is up, you feel your heart breaking all over again. Will you do that for me?"
Andromache couldn't reply, tears were streaming down her face. She only nodded. Ariana leaned down to kiss her cheek then left the room, pausing only to say, "Take a few moments, then come to the courtyard of the citadel. We leave for the docks shortly."
She left and Andromache forced herself stop crying, dabbing at her eyes with a cool cloth until the redness had gone down. She heard a knock at the door. "Enter."
Maira came in with a sad smile. "I need to finish collecting your belongings so they can load them onto the ship. Are you finished?"
Andromache nodded, then a thought struck her. "Are you not also sad to be leaving this city? You've grown up here, just as I have."
"Andromache, your family has treated me with kindness since the day I first came to them. They've given me a position of respect and you've been the kindest mistress a slave could ever ask for. I could no more leave your service than I could fly. It has been a pleasure to serve you, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life. The place of my service makes no difference to me."
Andromache smiled. "Thank you. I leave to go meet with my family. Do you come?"
Maira shook her head. "No, I'm going to make sure your belongings make it onto the ship. I'll be waiting onboard for you."
Andromache nodded, then left to find her family. They were all waiting at the gates, her brothers mounted on horses and her parents riding together on a chariot. Hector was waiting on the other chariot. She was handed in, and the gates opened. Cheers erupted and Andromache forced herself to smile and wave, but her eyes roamed elsewhere.
She looked at the faces of the people they passed; she spotted the marketplace where she'd so often stood in awe of the merchandise the faraway sailors had brought. She saw the houses with rags waving in the breeze to dry and gazed at a tree she'd climbed in order to see a bird's egg. She looked a the beautiful hills surrounding the city, mentally remembering the many outings she'd taken with her family and the many rides her brothers had taken her on. Andromache mentally said farewell to everything and everyone, forcing herself to remember that she had fully enjoyed it.
All too soon the ride was over, and she was being lifted down. Hector strode over to the plank leading to the ship, kindly allowing the royal family privacy for their farewells.
Andromache approached her oldest brother first. Arimedes enveloped her in a hug, "Safe journey, sister. May Hera bless you marriage and may you have many strong children together. My wife wishes me to thank you for your kindness to her, and regrets not being able to see you off."
Andromache smiled, biting back tears. "Make sure she remembers to rest, and I give you both my congratulations ahead of time."
Arimedes carelessly flicked her head, "She's made certain I know that if it's a girl, we're going to name her Andromache after you."
Andromache gave him one last kiss then slowly went down her line of brothers. Each of them teased her, kissed her, and told her how much they'd miss her. When she got to Euklides, he paused a moment before hugging her.
"Andromache, you've been the greatest sister I could have ever asked for. Be good-" he pulled her into a hug, "-and if he even thinks about mistreating you just let me know." Of all her brothers, he'd always been the closest to her and hence the most protective.
She held onto him tight. "Thank you," she said, her voice muffled in his shoulder. "And I forgive you for the snake." He kissed her then cleared his throat, biting his lip to keep from crying.
She moved onto her father. He held her tight and whispered into her ear. "Remember, we will always love you. I could not have asked for a better daughter, Andromache."
She squeezed him, taking in his scent one last time. She'd remember it forever. "Thank you, Father. I could have never asked for a better father. I'll never forget what you've taught me." He kissed her, and then Andromache finally came to her mother.
Ariana had not even tried to keep from crying. Tears were streaming down her face but she managed to smile at her only daughter. Pulling her close, the two women held onto each other, silently sobbing. Words weren't needed between them- they'd already spoken in Andromache's room. They just held onto each other tight, wishing that time would stop forever. "I love you, Andromache," Ariana finally whispered into her daughter's ear. "Remember that always, I have loved you forever and I will never stop, not even in death." She held on for a moment longer, then forced herself to pull away. Andromache resisted for a moment, but finally allowed herself to be gently pushed towards Prince Hector. She could barely see she was crying so hard. Without turning around- for she knew she wouldn't be able to continue if she looked back- she walked up the plank and onto the ship. Only then did she allow herself to look back at her family. She locked eyes with each member, stopping when she came to her mother. The two kept eye contact, long after the order the order to set sail was given. As the sails caught the wind and the boat slowly turned, Andromache choked back a sob.
"Mother," she whispered, dashing to the back of the boat. She threw herself against the railing, trying to stay as close to her mother as she could. A firm hand on her arm was the only reason she didn't throw herself into the sea, but she didn't realize it at the time. As the boat pulled away, the two women stared at each other, long after the other had faded into the distance. Only when the shore became a tiny speck in the distance did Andromache allow her grief to get the best of her. Sinking to the ground, she succumbed to sobs, trying desperately to rationalize herself out of her sorrow. Maira stood at a distance, her heart breaking to see her friend in so much despair. She was also sobbing, though silently, and knew of no way to comfort her friend.
"Get back to your rowing," a stern voice commanded the men, who'd been looking at the princess awkwardly. "You-" Maira started as she heard herself addressed. "-go prepare Andromache's bed below deck." Hector didn't wait for her obedience as he strode over to his grieving betrothed.
"Andromache, drink this," he said gently. He held the cup to her lips but she violently slapped him away. She continued sobbing hysterically, her breath coming in short, quick gasps. "Andromache, you're going to make yourself ill. Drink this," he commanded. There was no response, Andromache continued grieving hysterically. Hector tried to give her the wine once more, then grew angry as he was slapped away again. He roughly grabbed her, trapping both her hands in his left and supporting her weight against his body. He forced her to drink the wine, and though most of it she spit out he knew that some of it had been swallowed. He released her, and she collapsed to the ground, still hysterical with grief. He waited patiently, slowly her sobs became less hysterical and her breathing grew more even. A few minutes later, she slumped to the ground unconscious. He gently picked her up and brought her below deck, where Maira had prepared her bed. Setting her down, he left without a word while Maira laid herself down in the corner to get some sleep, ready to awaken the moment her friend needed her.